Showing posts with label Piercing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Piercing. Show all posts

Monday, March 31, 2008

Today's Piercing Incident

Ok, today's piercing incident easily outweighs anything thus far. So, I'm walking down on 4th avenue (which has a load busy strip mall-stores with a whole load of people) here in Vancouver and I noticed in passing that a girl with her boyfriend was staring at me.

I thought "hmm..". Soon thereafter, I heard the girl say to her boyfriend: "he's got a piercing". And just as we pass each other, her boyfriend says: "oh the eyebrow".

Perhaps they thought I couldn't hear them, but it was as clear as day. I paused, and then laughed.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Day Six

It's been a total of six days since I first got my eyebrow pierced, and I suppose you're wondering how I feel about it? Whether I regret it? Whether others resent it? So on and so forth. You're asking the simple question: has it been an issue in any way?

Well, let me answer all of those questions and more. First and foremost, the piercing's healing process has been spic-and-span. Haven't even endured the slightest issue thus far. In fact, I've been lucky in this regard. Whilst others can have piercings which continue to bleed and pour puss, mine has still yet to. Even when my brow was first pierced, the piercer (Erin McMahon @ 'Adrenaline' here in Vancouver) said that it indeed bled very little. And even now, I have yet to come across any fresh and/or crusty-dried liquids. Additionally, my brow hardly even swelled.

Having continued the daily cleaning routine (sea-salts and anti-bacterial soap) and continuing to sleep on my back, my piercing has been completely hassle free. My only reminder thus far that it's even in my body (aside from looking at myself in the mirror), is the consistent itch. It started doing this on Tuesday and is obviously a good sign. My piercing is healing not only properly, but at an extremely fast rate. In other words, it's been free sailing.

Impressions:

Ahh yes, the ancient old question. How do others react to a shiny piece of stainless-steel stuck in your face?

Reactions obviously vary from person to person, but the general impression from older people is clear: "bloody adolescent kids". Yup, I'm afraid you'll get that quite often. The fact that my hair is getting reasonably long certainly doesn't help with that image. It's the same old story though. As expected, it doesn't raise too much of a stir with the younger crowd, but the older crowd clearly cannot understand why you'd do this to your body. And what makes the latter strange is the fact that Vancouver is a city which is very strong on the promotion of the so-called 'body art'. Take it from me - Vancouver is full of people sporting body art. Piercings are by no means a rarity, nor are tattoo's. And yet still, some people are baffled.

And for the sake of entertainment, I've got some fine examples of my personal experiences to share. First and foremost though, I must explain that my hair-bangs are quite long. They pretty much cover my forehead, so these experiences are based upon a piercing that is only partially visible.... Oh noes!

One of the more entertaining ventures when was I last visited Safeway. I could see - from the corner of my eye - a woman in a lineup across from me was staring at me... When I turned to look at her, she looked away real fast. I could tell... And when I went up to Safeway customer-service counter to get a pack of Cigarettes (for the old man, naturally), I noticed one of the guys at the counter staring at it. And so it goes on. After a short while, it's easy to tell who's staring at it based upon their reaction when you look back at them. It's kind of humorous actually.

And because the barbell is silver, when you're walking towards a sunny area, the light cannot help but sparkle off the silver. People catch a glimpse of that....and it's like, "what the fuck is that?". And lastly, if a younger kid (let's say 13 years of age) catches glimpse of it, they stare at it in absolute shock and awe.

And of course, this all leads to the final question of: why does one involve themselves in body art? Well of course, everyone's inspiration is different. Some do it to be bold, some to be unique, some to be rebellious and some evidently do it because they have an affection for art. Or perhaps, it's a combination of the above. For myself? I won't lie, I do like the fact that it further gives me an identity. It's something that makes me, me. But of course, I do indeed have a keen appreciation for art and that's exactly what I see my piercing as.

Regrets? Nada. None.

Future Body Art?

You betcha ya. As soon as I got back from Adrenaline this past Saturday, I was already looking on the net for my next piercing. Yep, that's how it is. Addiction.

What's next? Probably an ear piercing of some sort; either an industrial cartilage piercing or a outer-conch cartilage piercing. The trouble with these particular piercings is that they have a long healing process: six months to a year. But I'll probably get one of the two next time around.


Other piercings which I have considered, but have been leary of, have been piercing of the lip and/or tongue. Given the damage these particular items can possibly do the oral region, I am greatly fearful. My mouth is already a world of hurt: chipped away teeth; low enamel levels; receding gums. If my gums were in better shape I wouldn't think twice about getting either.

Tattoo? I think will, albeit long down the road. Already have a few idea, but I ain't spilling the beans just yet!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

My New Piercing

It happened.



ZERO issues. Hardly bled at all. Best description of the initial piercing: felt like a nail going through my foot.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Dark World

Ok, so yeah.

I've been thinking about getting a piercing. If you're a frequent reader of my Blog or a close friend your jaw might have just dropped, but hear me out.

I've really grown a fascination with piercings, and I suppose that's because they're a tad rebellious, awesome and kind of sexy too. Unlike the vast of teenagers, I missed my stage of growing-up rebellion. I feel that now as my lifestyle and appearance continues to molt, I must take a course of uncharted and unexplored form. And that all started with the urge to grow my hair long, but now, I want to - cheesy though it sounds - further create an identity for myself. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm more than happy with my current appearance, just looking to make myself all that bit more special. :-p This fascination with piercings started it's development ever since I not only moved to Vancouver, but started cracking to the dark and melodic tunes of Porcupine Tree. Go figure, I'm turning emo. Nah, just joking. I'll never be a skinny little emo boy with false dyed black hair.

But anyhow, I do admit to feeling that I've grown a curious indulgence into the world of modern 'punk' and 'emo'. That being said, I've grown a strong attraction to women of a darker nature; more rockin', more out-spoken. Girls with piercings, girls who wear dark make up and girls who dye their hair crazy colours. Yes, I've grown attracted to 'emo' and 'punk' girls. Please seeing the following pictures for examples:



Those who truly know me will know that I've never been one to follow trends, so I don't think this is just a passing phase but rather something that's been building up over the years.



And it's the good 'ol argument, eh? Beauty is the eye of the beholder. I know tons of people who would think these girls are disgusting. But of course, I whole-heartedly disagree with that. I think these girls are not only fantastically beautiful, but utterly special.

I know, I know. Some people are probably rolling in their graves right now, but oh well. You like what you like.

Oh wait - what was this about? Oh yes, the piercing.

The actual consideration as to getting a piercing of some sort is largely in thanks to a female friend (Wai-Lee) living in Burnaby, who I met online a few months ago. Actually, the two of us are planning meet up this weekend and go on a photospree.

Anyway, she's got five piercings herself; one in her lip, one in each ear and one in each breast nipple. After expressing my interest to her about myself getting one, she told me that she thought I'd look good with an eyebrow piercing. I hadn't put much into it before hand, but after a few days of thought I could finally see where she was coming from. And I now concur. Very much so indeed.

And after additional thought, I've been thinking a lip piercing would be pretty rad too. Mind you, If I do go through with it, it'll only be one of the two - not both. However, they are downsides to having either of them.

Lip piercing have a tendency to make gums recede. Even Wai-Lee told me that it has happened to her. Mind you, it's less obtrusive on the gums if the ring is placed to either the left or right as it leaves more roof for the stainless steel ring (and that's what I had planned anyway). Other than that, the piercing takes 2 to 4 weeks to heal in which you must use special alochol-free mouth wash and sea salts.




An eyebrow piercing is a little less of a hassle and is much less prone to causing bodily injury. However, the healing process takes 6 to 8 weeks and in that time, one must be careful not to mix oily hair jam packed with gel into the wound as it will cause an infection. Care procedures from this point are swabbing on a special cleaning soap on the wound 2 times a day. At this particular time, my hair is bloody long. Hangs over my brow and has even caused a few zits in this particular facial region. Could be an infection waiting to happen (assuming I get the piercing in the brow). And considering the time it's taken to grow my hair this long, I have no intentions of cutting it.

Having the opportunity to talk with someone who has to live with a lip piercing has greatly comforted me. After all, she does have first hand experience...

And no, I'm not worried about the pain and etc of the procedure it's self. On average, it takes them 2-3 minutes as they jam a needle through your brow and/or lip. Sure, it'll hurt, but only for a short second. Not to mention, I'm no stranger to pain. I walk around Vancouver with ripped up heels pouring blood into a nice pair of grey socks. And yes, it hurts like hell. I've got so many scars on my feet you wouldn't believe it.

But enough about that, let's go onto initial reaction from others. And they are? Uhh, I've only two told people about it; Wai-Lee (the girl with the piercing) and my father. My father is quite sensible on the matter. Not over bearing by any means. Though honestly, he doesn't like the idea as, A) he thinks the girls won't like me as much and B) as short as it may be, the operation it's self. He's easily sickened and not a fan of hooks being ripped through any of his body parts. Haha.

Piercing Style:

As to the exact piercing, If it be a eyebrow one, I'd like something like this:


Love the green colour especially.

If I went with a lip piercing, I'd like something like
THIS (green) or THIS (blue). Green's my favourite colour, whilst blue matches me eye colour.

I'm excited. And more so towards the prospect of a lip piercing than a brow one. Will keep you mofo's informed.

Ciao for now.